Battelle gives library youth efforts $2.15M

Battelle is donating $2.15 million to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation to support the library’s “Young Minds” initiatives.

The library’s youth strategy focuses on improving kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency and high-school graduation rates.

The majority of the donation from the nonprofit research-and-development organization in Columbus — $2 million

— will directly support the library’s 22 community branches, which offer services including Summer Reading Challenge, Ready for Kindergarten Storytimes, Reading Buddies and Homework Help Centers.

The other $150,000 will make Battelle a major sponsor of the foundation’s annual Celebration of Learning event for each of the next three years.

“With the pandemic fundamentally changing the way our children learn and grow — particularly children in atrisk communities — we must position ourselves as innovators in rising to address these new challenges and barriers they face,” Patrick Losinski, the library system’s CEO, said in a prepared statement. “Battelle’s generosity enables us to extend our impact and elevate our efforts in support of Young Minds.”

“Central Ohio parents know that reading matters, and we understand many families are juggling new constraints on their time and finances during the current crisis,” said Battelle

President and CEO Lou Von Thaer. “The programs we’re supporting expand the library’s reach to give more young people the support they need to thrive and succeed.”

Battelle recently conducted tests of library materials and surfaces, concluding that COVID-19 can survive no longer than three days. That supported previous data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. dnarciso@dispatch.com @Deannarciso